
Bits of Freedom
Programs
Freedom of communication
Our current online communication ecosystem, characterized by a few overly-dominant platforms and closely interwoven with the tracking-based advertising industry, frustrates civil society’s ability to hold power accountable and put forward new ideas and bold alternatives.
Data justice
The careless use of data and algorithms can reinforce inequality and compromise legal certainty. Strong regulation and oversight can protect people against these harms.
Government surveillance
Government surveillance needs to be targeted, predictable and come with strong oversight and safeguards.
Awareness and action
We work to strengthen people’s understanding of technology and civil society’s ability to respond to technological developments.
English blogposts
European Commission wants to eliminate online confidentiality
The Commission wants platforms and internet providers to do the impossible. With its proposal, it threatens to eliminate confidentiality online.
Belgium wants to ban Signal – a harbinger of European policy to come
Last week, the Belgian government launched a proposal that would ban Signal. What’s going on?
Annual Report 2021: The main challenges to society are by definition (also) informational issues.
We are proud of what we achieved last year. But we are also worried. The mechanisms protecting our public interests against an overly powerful government and an overly powerful industry are rattling.
The secret services try again
Crises are easily used to legitimise sweeping powers.
Academics call for binding supervision of secret services
This scientific opinion also recommends binding powers for the supervisor of the secret services.
Propaganda cannot be silenced with censorship, freedom of expression can
By order of all governments in the European Union, internet providers and platforms are blocking access to Russian state media. However, European governments would do better to stimulate the independent media in both Russia and Ukraine.
The European Commission might put a stop to end-to-end encryption
The European Commission is working on a bill that requires platforms to monitor all your chats. This would undermine the essence of end-to-end encryption. What’s up with that?
Belgian authority finds IAB Europe’s consent pop-ups incompatible with the GDPR
We dive into the Belgian Data Protection Authority’s decision regarding IAB’s “consent framework” and explain what it means for you.
The European Commission does not sufficiently understand the need for a better AI Act
The Dutch Senate shares the same concerns we’ve expressed about the AI Act and wrote to the European Commission about it. The response of the Commission is not exactly reassuring.
Unfriendly reminder: The secret services are still stealing our data
The secret services are unlawfully holding our data. This is not allowed by law and not by the oversight committee. The system fails to protect us.
Nani Jansen Reventlow receives the Felipe Rodriguez Award 2021
Nani Jansen Reventlow specializes in strategic litigation in which she engages intersectionally with human rights and social justice. As a seasoned human rights lawyer, she has won a number of landmark court cases in the area of freedom of expression.
Big-tech’s lobby sets the rules about big-tech in Europe
The enormous lobbying power of these companies means that these companies are also particularly dominant in the creation of rules. Even if those rules are precisely intended to limit the power of those companies
Tinkering with keys weakens encryption
Key management is an integral part of the whole of encryption.
Algorithms need managers, too
During my internship at Bits of Freedom, I researched the use of algorithms for detecting fake news. These are my most important findings.
Update on the Dutch “Dragnet-Act”: One step forward, two steps back?
The Amendment Act to the Dragnet-Act passed the Senate. The improvements therein do not go far enough, but they are in the right direction. The newly acquired safeguards must not be overturned.